Hold-down connector

ABSTRACT

A hold-down connector for attaching metal studs forming wall assembly to a support structure. One embodiment of the hold-down connector has a base plate, a back plate and at least one gusset plate. The gusset plate(s) extend between the base plate and the back plate and may be integrally formed with the back plate or the gusset plate(s) may be welded or otherwise attached to the back plate. The base plate has a fastener opening therethrough for receiving a fastener for attaching the base plate to the support structure. One or more slots are provided through the back plate to facilitate welding of the back plate to the web of a corresponding metal stud. One or more of the slots may have opposing side portions that are not parallel to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to building construction components and, more particularly, to connectors for anchoring wall studs to foundations or underlying support structures.

2. Description of the Invention Background

Regardless of whether the frame of a building is constructed from wood and/or steel, such frame structures are commonly subjected to a variety of forces. Among the most significant of such forces are gravity, wind, and seismic forces. Gravity is a vertically acting force, while wind and seismic forces are primarily laterally acting.

The walls of a structure fabricated from wood components are commonly formed from a collection of wall studs that are connected to top and bottom members or “plates” at desired spacing schemes (i.e., 16 inches from center to center). The studs and plates usually comprise 2×4 and or 2×6 boards. In metal frame arrangements, the studs and plates commonly comprise C-shaped members that are interconnected, for example, by screws or other fastening techniques.

To provide the frame with resistance to the types of lateral forces mentioned above, shear wall panels are often attached to portions of the frame formed by the vertically extending studs and top and bottom plates or tracks such that they extend therebetween. Common forms of shear wall panels include one or more types of sheathing such as plywood, fiberboard, particleboard, and/or drywall to the inside or both sides of the wall frame. In multistory applications or applications wherein high shear forces are contemplated, shear wall panels comprising a sheet of steel with gypsum or other material affixed thereto are commonly employed. These shear wall panels transmit the lateral forces acting on the frame of the building to the walls of subsequent floors below it and ultimately to the foundation upon which the walls are supported.

In non-shear applications, common fastener such as nails, screws or bolts are employed to affix the wall structure to the underlying support structure. However, in applications wherein high shear and other forces are contemplated, conventional fastener arrangements employed in non-shear applications are often inadequate. Thus, over the years, various types of connection devices have been developed for connecting the wall studs of a shear wall to the underlying structure or foundation. Such connectors are commonly referred to in the industry as “hold-downs”. Examples of such hold-down connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,672 to Commins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,192 to Commins, U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,621 to Jensen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,097 to Young, U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,404 to Leek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,495 to Gregg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,188 to Shahnazarian and U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,290 to Leek.

Prior hold-down connectors, however, are commonly screwed to metal studs. In applications wherein relatively high shear and deflection forces are anticipated, upwards of 10 and even up to 48 or more fasteners have been be used to fasten a hold-down to a corresponding stud and attain the required attachment strength. Regardless of whether the installer employs power tools to install the fasteners, the process of installing large numbers of fasteners results in an undesirably slow installation process. In addition, the hold-downs must be made with vertically extending portions that are large enough to accommodate the required number of fasteners.

Other attempts at fastening hold-down connectors utilizing welding proved to be difficult, time consuming and cumbersome because the welds were made at the outside back edges of the hold-down itself which provided little space for welding and also made it very difficult to inspect the quality of the welds.

Thus, as can be appreciated from the forgoing discussion, there is a need for a simple hold-down connector that can be quickly and easily coupled to metal studs without the use of large numbers of fasteners.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hold-down connector that comprises a base plate that has at least one base plate fastener opening therethrough. A back plate is attached to the base plate and at least one side gusset plate is attached to the base plate and the back plate such that it extends therebetween. At least one close-ended welding slot is provided through the back plate. The welding slot has a slot width and a slot length that is greater than the slot width and is less than the length of the back plate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the subject invention, there is provided a hold-down connector that comprises a base plate that has at least one base plate fastener opening therethrough. A back plate is attached to the base plate and at least one side gusset plate is attached to the base plate and the back plate such that it extends therebetween. A first welding slot is provided through the back plate. The first welding slot has a first slot width and a first slot length that is greater than the first slot width. A second welding slot is provided through the back plate. The second welding slot has a second slot width and a second slot length that is greater than the second slot width.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the subject invention, there is provided a wall system that includes a support structure and a wall frame supported on the support structure. The wall frame comprises at least one vertically extending metal stud that has a stud web and two stud flanges that protrude from the stud web in spaced-apart relation to each other. The wall system further comprises a hold-down connector that includes a base plate that is attached to the support structure. A vertically extending back plate is attached to the base plate. The vertically extending back plate extends between the stud flanges and is welded to the stud web along at least one slot in the back plate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the subject invention there is provided a hold-down connector that comprises a base plate that has at least one base plate fastener opening therethrough and a back plate that is attached to the base plate. The back plate extends vertically therefrom from the base plate and has a length and a width. At least one side gusset plate is attached to the base plate and the back plate and extends therebetween. At least two elongated welding slots are provided through the back plate and at least one other elongated welding slot is provided through another portion of the back plate. At least one of the other elongated welding slots is axially aligned with at least one of the elongated welding slots.

Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention provide solutions to the shortcomings of other hold-down connectors and methods of attaching the hold-down connectors to studs in various applications. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that these and other details, features and advantages will become further apparent as the following detailed description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying Figures, there are shown present embodiments of the invention wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a wall structure employing a plurality of hold-down connectors forming one embodiment of the present invention to attach the studs of the wall structure to a portion of a support structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a pair of studs of the wall structure of FIG. 1 attached to the support structure with one hold-down embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of one base plate embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a hold-down embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG. 4 with the base plate shown in cross-section for clarity and the knockout of a conventional stud shown in phantom lines to illustrate the positioning of the weld slots of the hold-down in relation to the knockout;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a hold-down embodiment in relation to a single metal stud;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a hold-down connector of the subject invention attached to the web of a stud by two sections of weld;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the hold-down and stud of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation al view of another hold-down embodiment of the subject invention with the base plate thereof shown in cross-section for clarity;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG. 9 welded to the web of a stud that does not have a knockout adjacent to the hold-down;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG. 9 welded to the web of a stud that has a knockout therethrough;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of another hold-down embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG. 12 welded to the web of a stud;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of another hold-down embodiment of the subject invention; and

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG. 14 welded to the web of a stud.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the present embodiments of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a shear wall structure 10 wherein at least two hold-down connectors 100 of one embodiment of the subject invention are employed to attach the shear wall structure 10 to a support structure 12. The support structure 12 may comprise, for example, a concrete foundation or another wall assembly, etc. The wall structure 10 in this arrangement includes a conventional bottom track 14 that has a web 16 and two upstanding flanges 18. The bottom track 14 is supported on the support structure 12 and may be attached to the support structure 12 utilizing appropriate conventional fasteners.

The shear wall structure 10 further includes a top track 20 that also has a web 22 and a pair of flanges 24. The top track 20 may be attached to joists, girders, beams, tracks, etc. depending upon the structure that it is designed to support. A plurality of conventional metal studs 32 extend between the top and bottom tracks and are attached thereto. In the wall structure depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the metal studs 32 are arranged in “back-to-back” or “web-to web” pairs 30 that are spaced at desired intervals of, for example, 16,18, 24, etc. inches “on center”. The reader will appreciate, however, that, depending upon the wall structure's particular design requirements, single metal studs 32 may be arranged at desired spacing intervals in place of the pairs 30 of back-to-back studs 32.

The metal studs 32 may be of conventional design and each have a web 34 and a pair of flanges 36. See FIG. 2. A return 38 is formed on the end of each of the flanges 34 as shown. The pairs 30 of studs 32 may be attached together with their webs 34 in abutting relationship by fastener screws, welds, etc. The pairs 30 of studs 32 may be attached to the top track and the bottom track by fastener screws 44. See FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2-8 illustrate one hold-down connector embodiment 100 of the present invention. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5-8, hold-down connector 100 includes a base plate 110, a back plate 120 and a pair of (“first and second”) side gusset plates 130. One embodiment of the base plate 110 that is particularly well suited for use with a conventional 3.625 inch metal stud is depicted in FIG. 3 and may be fabricated from ⅜ inch metal plate.

In this embodiment, the base plate 110 may be provided with an opening 112 for receiving a conventional fastener therethrough. In one embodiment, the opening comprises an elongated base plate hole or slot. One embodiment of the base plate 110 depicted in FIG. 3 may be fabricated from ⅜ inch steel plate and have the following dimensions: dimension “A” is approximately 3 inches; dimension “B” is approximately 2 5/16 inches; dimension “C” is approximately 1⅜ inches; dimension “D” is approximately 1⅛ inches. To facilitate easy assembly and welding of the base plate 110 to the back plate 120 and the gusset plates 130, the rear corners 114, 116 of the base plate 110 may be clipped as shown. For example, dimensions “E” may be approximately 3/16 inch and dimension “F: may be approximately 1 15/16 inches. The skilled artisan will appreciate, however, that the composition and the various dimensions and shape of the base plate 110 and fastener opening 112 may be altered depending upon the sizes of the components (studs, track, fasteners, etc.) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As indicated above, this embodiment of the hold-down connector 100 of the present invention also includes a back plate 120 and a pair of gusset plates 130. See FIGS. 4-6. The back plate 120 and the gusset plates 130 may comprise an integral component and be fabricated from single piece of steel or the gusset plates 130 may extend from the lateral sides 121,123 of the back plate 120 and be welded thereto in the configuration depicted in the above-mentioned Figures. In one embodiment, for example, the back plate 120 and the side gusset plates 130 are fabricated from 10 gage 50 ksi steel. However, other types and thicknesses of metal material could conceivably be used.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shape of the side gusset plates 130 of one hold-down connector embodiment of the subject invention. In this embodiment, for example, dimension “G” may be approximately 3½ inches; dimension “H” may be approximately 1 foot-6½ inches; and dimension “I” may be approximately ¾ inch.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the hold-down connector 100 of the present invention. As can be seen in that Figure, the base plate 110 may be offset a distance “J” from the bottom ends of the back plate 120 and the side gusset plates 130 to facilitate welding (represented by weld 119) of the base plate 110 to at least the gusset plates 130 and preferably to the gusset plates 130 and the back plate 120. The back plate 120 has a width “K” that will enable the back plate 120 to extend between the stud returns 38 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Also in this embodiment, the back plate 120 is provided with a pair of elongated (welding) slots 122 that have “closed ends”. As used herein, the term “closed end” means that the slot does not extend longitudinally through either end of the backing plate. In this embodiment, the slots 122 are oriented such that they extend past the lateral sides of a “knockout” opening 40 that is commonly provided through the web 34 of the metal stud 32. See FIGS. 5 and 7. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the knockout opening 40 is typically approximately 4 inches long (dimension “L”) and its bottom edge is commonly approximately 10 inches (dimension “M”) from the bottom of the stud 32. The knockout 40 is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5 for illustration only. In this embodiment, the knockout 40 does not form any part of the back plate 120.

Each of the slots 122 has a slot length “N” and a slot width “O”. In one embodiment, the slot length “N” is greater than the slot width “O” and is less than the length “H” of the back plate 120 such that the slot 122 is not open ended. In one embodiment, for example, the slot length “N” is at least fifty percent of the length “H” of the back plate 120, but is not greater than or equal to the length “H”. That is, in at least one embodiment, the slots 122 do not extend through the upper or lower ends of the back plate 120, but stop short of those ends of the back plate 120. See FIG. 5. For example, in one embodiment, the slot length “N” is approximately 10 inches, the slot width “O” is approximately ¼ inch and the length “H” of the back plate 120 is approximately 1 foot-6½ inches. The top edges of the slots 122 may be approximately 1 inch from the upper end of the hold-down 100 (dimension “P” in FIG. 5). Each slot 122 has an inside edge 127 and an outside edge 129. The inside edges 127 of each slot 122 may be approximately ¾ inch from the centerline (“CL”) of the hold-down 100 (dimensions “Q” in FIG. 5). The back plate 120 may then be welded (welds 160,160′) to the web 34 of the stud 32 through the slots 122 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 such that one weld 160 is applied to one of the outside edge 129 of one of the slots 122 and another weld 160′ is applied to the outside side 129 of the other slot 122.

The hold-down connector 100 may be attached to the support structure 12 by a suitable fastener arrangement 170. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-8, a conventional anchor bolt 172, nut 174, and washer 176 are employed. Other suitable fasteners may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict another hold-down connector embodiment 200 of the present invention. Hold-down connector 200 may be substantially similar to the hold-down connector 100 as described above, except that hold-down connector 200 has a single slot 222. As can be seen in those Figures, the hold-down connector 200 has a base plate 210 that may be of the same construction and configuration as base plate 110 described above. Base plate 210 has a fastener opening 212 therethrough that may have the same characteristics as fastener opening 112 described above. Hold-down connector 200 also has a back plate 220 and a pair of gusset plates 230. The gusset plates 230 may be integrally formed with the back plate 220 or they may comprise separate pieces that are welded to the back plate 220. Gusset plates 230 may be of similar construction and size as the gusset plates 130 described above.

In this embodiment, a single slot 222 may be provided through the back plate 220. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, slot 220 is axially aligned with the center axis CL of the back plate 220. However, the slot 220 may be situated on either side of the axis CL if desired. The slot 222 has a slot length N′ and a slot width O′. In one embodiment, for a back plate 220 that has a length H′ of approximately 1 foot-6½ inches and a width K′ of approximately 2¾ inches, the slot length N′ may be approximately 1 foot-2 inches and the slot width O′ may be approximately 34 inches. Slot 222 has two side edges 223, 225. Other slot sizes and shapes may be employed.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the stud 32 does not have a knockout 40 located in the vicinity of the slot 222 when the hold-down connector 200 is positioned as shown. Thus, continuous beads of weld 260, 260′ may be applied to the edges 223, 225, respectively as shown in FIG. 10 to connect the hold-down connector 200 to the web 34 of the stud 32. For those applications wherein the stud 32 does have a knockout 40 therethrough, depending upon the design loads of the hold-down connection 200, the installer may be able to simply apply the welds 260, 260′ to the portions of the edges 223, 225 of the slot 222 oriented above and below the knock out 40 as shown in FIG. 11.

Somewhat similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, a hold-down connector 300 may be provided with at least two axially aligned slots 322 that each have edges 323, 325. See FIG. 12. The hold-down connector 300 may otherwise be substantially identical to the hold-down connector 200 described above. In particular, the hold-down connector 300 has a base plate 310, a back plate 320 and two gusset plates 330. The base plate 310 has a fastener opening 312 therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the hold-down connector 300 is attached to the web 34 of the stud 32 by two beads or sections of welds 360, 360′ applied to the slot edges 323, 325, respectively. In alternative embodiments, the slot 322 that is situated above the knockout 40 in the stud 32 may not be axially aligned along the central axis CL with the welding slot 322 that is situated below the knock out 40. In addition, one or more of the slots may have opposing side edges or portions that are not parallel to each other.

Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15. As can be seen in those Figures, the hold-down connector 400 of this embodiment has three “upper” slots 422, 432, 442 located in a portion of the back plate 420 that would be above the hole 40 in a corresponding stud 32 when installed and three “lower” slots 426, 436, 446 in the portion of the back plate 420 located below the hole 40 in the corresponding stud 32. In the embodiment depicted, the slots 422, 432, 442 are the same size and shape and are substantially laterally aligned with each other. However, in other embodiments, the upper slots 422, 432, 442 may have different sizes and shapes and/or may not be laterally aligned with each other. In addition, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15, the upper slots 426, 436, 446 are substantially the same size and shape and are laterally aligned with each other. In other embodiments, however, the lower slots 426, 436, 446 may have different sizes and shapes and/or may not be laterally aligned with each other. Also, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, upper slot 422 is axially aligned with the lower slot 426. The second upper slot 432 is axially aligned with the second lower slot 436 and the third upper slot 442 is axially aligned with the third lower slot 446. In other embodiments, one or more of the upper slots may not be aligned with corresponding lower slots. It will also be appreciated that other numbers of upper and lower slots may be employed. For example, in another embodiment, only two upper slots and two lower slots are provided. In other embodiments two upper slots and three lower slots are provided and in yet another alternative three upper lost and two upper slots are provided. Thus, the number, size, shape and arrangement of upper and lower slots may vary depending upon the expected loading conditions.

The hold-down connector 400 may otherwise be substantially identical to the hold-down connector 200 described above. In particular, the hold-down connector 400 has a base plate 410, a back plate 420 and two gusset plates 430. The base plate 410 has a fastener opening 412 therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 15, the hold-down connector 400 is attached to the web 34 of the stud 32 by beads or sections of welds 460 applied through each of the slots 422, 432, 442, 426, 436, 446.

The various embodiments of the subject invention represent vast improvements over prior hold-down arrangements. Various embodiments may be attached to the web of a stud by welding, thus eliminating the need to install several fastener screws.

The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodiments are therefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced thereby. 

1. A hold-down connector comprising: a base plate having at least one base plate fastener opening therethrough; an elongated back plate attached to said base plate and extending vertically therefrom, said elongated back plate having a length and a width; at least one side gusset plate attached to said base plate and said back plate and extending therebetween; at least one close-ended welding slot through said back plate, said welding slot having a slot width and a slot length that is greater than said slot width and is at least fifty percent of said back plate length, but is not equal to said back plate length.
 2. The hold-down connector of claim 1 wherein said base plate fastener opening comprises an elongated base plate slot.
 3. The hold-down connector of claim 1 wherein said base plate is welded to at least one of said back plate and said at least one side gusset plate.
 4. The hold-down connector of claim 3 wherein said at least one gusset plate comprises: a first gusset plate extending from a first side of said base plate to a first lateral side of said back plate; and a second gusset plate extending from a second side of said base plate to a second lateral side of said back plate.
 5. The hold-down connector of claim 4 wherein a portion of said first gusset plate protrudes below a bottom surface of said base plate to facilitate welding thereto and wherein another portion of said second gusset plate protrudes below said bottom surface of said base plate to facilitate welding thereto.
 6. The hold-down connector of claim 1 wherein said back plate and said at least one gusset plate comprise an integral component.
 7. A hold-down connector comprising: a base plate having at least one base plate fastener opening therethrough; a back plate attached to said base plate and extending vertically therefrom, said back plate having a length and a width; at least one side gusset plate attached to said base plate and said back plate and extending therebetween; a first welding slot through said back plate, said first welding slot having a first slot width and a first slot length that is greater than said first slot width; a second welding slot through said back plate, said second welding slot having a second slot width and a second slot length that is greater than the second slot width.
 8. The hold-down connector of claim 7 wherein said first and second welding slots are substantially parallel to each other.
 9. The hold-down connector of claim 7 wherein said first and second welding slots are substantially axially aligned with each other.
 10. A hold-down connector comprising: a base plate having at least one base plate fastener opening therethrough; a back plate attached to said base plate and extending vertically therefrom, said back plate having a length and a width; at least one side gusset plate attached to said base plate and said back plate and extending therebetween; at least two elongated welding slots through said back plate; and at least one other elongated welding slot through another portion of said back plate and axially aligned with at least one of said elongated welding slots.
 11. The hold-down connector of claim 10 wherein said at least two welding slots have substantially the same length and shape and are substantially laterally aligned with each other.
 12. The hold-down connector of claim 10 wherein said other elongated welding slots correspond in number to a number of said welding slots.
 13. The hold-down connector of claim 12 wherein at least two of said welding slots are parallel to each other wherein at least one of said other welding slots corresponds to at least one of said parallel welding slots and is substantially axially aligned therewith.
 14. A wall system, comprising: a support structure; a wall frame supported on said support structure, said wall frame comprising at least one vertically extending metal stud having a stud web and two stud flanges protruding from said stud web in spaced-apart relation to each other; a hold-down connector comprising: a base plate attached to said support structure; and a vertically extending back plate attached to said base plate, said vertically extending back plate extending between said stud flanges and being welded to said stud web along at least one slot in said back plate.
 15. The wall system of claim 14 further comprising at least one web opening through said stud web of said at least one vertically extending stud adjacent an end thereof that is adjacent to said support structure and wherein said vertically extending back plate has at least two welding slots therethrough such that when said vertically extending back plate is positioned adjacent said stud web for welding thereto, said web opening is located between at least portions of said two welding slots.
 16. The wall system of claim 14 wherein said least one vertically extending metal stud has a first inwardly protruding return formed on an end of one of said stud flanges and a second inwardly protruding return on another end of the another one of said flanges and wherein said back plate is sized to extend between inwardly protruding ends of said first and second returns.
 17. The wall system of claim 14 wherein said at least one slot in said back plate has at least two longitudinal edges and wherein said back plate is welded to said stud web by providing a first bead of weld along one longitudinal edge and a second bead of weld along the other longitudinal edge. 